Biodiversity and Conservation Science News: September 2021

28 September 2021

The first complete map of the world’s shallow tropical coral reefs is here

Abstract: "Scientists have completed the first-ever global, high-resolution map of the world’s shallow tropical coral reefs. When combined with an integrated tool that tracks global coral bleaching events in near-real-time, the new resource provides a comprehensive overview of the trends and changes in global coral reef health. While the completion of the map is an achievement in itself, the scientists behind the Allen Coral Atlas say they hope the new resource will spur action to improve coral reef protection. The new mapping platform is already being used to support conservation projects in more than 30 countries, including designation of marine protected areas and to inform marine spatial plans."

21 September 2021

Sea turtles: Can these great marine migrators navigate rising human threats?

Abstract: "Humanity is quickly crossing critical planetary boundaries that threaten sea turtle populations, their ecosystems and, ultimately, the “safe operating space” for human existence. Sea turtles have survived millions of years, but marathon migrations put them at increasing risk for the additive impacts of adverse anthropogenic activity on land and at sea, including impacts from biodiversity loss, climate change, ocean acidification, land-use change, pollution (especially plastics), and more. The synergistic effects of anthropogenic threats and the return on conservation interventions are largely unknown. But analysts understand that their efforts will need to focus on both nesting beaches and ocean migration routes, while acting on a host of adverse impacts across many of the nine known planetary boundaries. Avoiding extinction will require adaptation by turtles and people, and the evolution of new, innovative conservation practices. Key strategies: boosting populations to weather growing threats, rethinking how humanity fishes, studying turtle life cycles (especially at sea), safeguarding habitat, and deeply engaging local communities."

Pollination advantage of rare plants unveiled

Abstract: "Species diversification results from the balance between the formation of new species (speciation) and the loss of existing ones (extinction). The tremendous proliferation of different life forms on Earth can be attributed to both high rates of speciation and low rates of extinction. Flowering plants — a group called angiosperms — are one of the most diverse groups of non-mobile organism. There are approximately 352,000 plant species, nearly 90% of which depend, to various extents, on insects and other animals for pollination and seed production¹. These animal pollinators have been key to the unstoppable diversification of the angiosperms, starting at least 120 million years ago, with pollinators promoting speciation by acting as potent selection agents for a plethora of flower traits²^,³. Pollinators also aid species persistence by enabling pollen transfer between relatively distant individuals in sparse plant populations⁴. Writing in Nature, Wei et al.⁵ report that, for plant species that flower at the same time, pollinators mediate interactions that might facilitate species coexistence in diverse plant communities."

11 September 2021

Motion 101 passes at IUCN, calls for protecting 50% of Earth’s lands and seas

Abstract: "In the final session of the World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on 10 September 2021, an overwhelming majority of delegates approved Motion 101, which calls for the protection of half of Earth’s lands and seas with a minimum of 30% by 2030, recognizing the important role of Indigenous peoples and local communities in preserving nature and the need for measures to respect and honor their rights and interests"